Assynt Seashore Project – background
This project is a local follow-up to the Highland Seashore Project (HSP), which has been wound up after three productive years. During the HSP the Field Club had a couple of useful field meetings led by Mike Kendall and decided to try recording for ourselves. So on 27th September 2015 six members met at Culkein Drumbeg (NC1033) where we clambered down the cliff towards Meall Dearg to look at rock pools; after lunch, and on a very low spring tide, we ventured out into the kelp in the channel north of the ‘green’. Several of those present had had some training in marine biology, albeit in their youth, and we were enchanted by the diversity of organisms we came across, but, at the same time, overwhelmed by our ignorance and the problems of readily naming any but a few.
For this reason, amongst others, we have not taken up the recording protocols of the Highland Seashore Project, and have decided to devise our own, more modest local contribution to seashore recording. We have chosen, initially, to focus on two groups of organisms, the brown algae or seaweeds, which are the dominant plant-life in the inter-tidal zone, and molluscs or seashells, which everyone picks up when walking along a strandline. This will not prevent us from recording other organisms of interest, if and when we come across them, provided that putting a name to them is relatively straightforward!
First surveys
With the rigours of winter bird surveys behind us, Clarinda Chant, Gwen Richards and I thought that we would make a start during February 2016 and chose three easily accessible sites, the beaches at Inverkirkaig, Culkein Stoer and Clachtoll. The aim was to see what the problems were (apart from frozen fingers), to get to know the available literature and to devise a format for recording.
Where next? We are still on a fairly steep learning curve, but have decided to press on regardless. Other potential venues are the beaches at Achmelvich and Clashnessie, and the rocky shore between Balchladich and Raffin. If you are interested in joining us at one or more let me know by email (assyntwildlife@gmail.com) or phone me direct (01571 833241).
Ian M. Evans
Links to our Beachcombing Accounts
April 2017 Beachcombing – Shell collecting in the north-west
April 2016 Beachcombing – Achmelvich
March 2016 Beachcombing – Clashnessie
Feb. 2016 Beachcombing – Inverkirkaig Culkein Stoer and Clachtoll